A new chromium(III)-phthalocyanine complex with the formula [Cr(C32H16N8)I], or CrPcI where Pc is phthalocyanate(2-), has been obtained by the reaction of pure Cr powder with phthalonitrile under a stream of iodine vapour. The five-coordinate Cr atom is bonded to the four isoindole N atoms of the phthalocyaninate(2-) ligand and to one apical iodine ligand, and has a square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The Cr-III cation is significantly displaced [0.456 (2) Angstrom] from the N-4-isoindole plane towards the I atom. The Cr-I bond is tilted 2.51 (4)degrees to the N-4-isoindole plane.